Daily Mood Quotes - December 11, 2011

Daily Mood Quote

Day 219 – December 11, 2011

“Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”

~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Gee whizz, I really hate to wax political, its such an unseemly mess and there are way too many blogs dedicated to polarized sides of any political issue. But, I must tell you that I have been distantly following the Republican Presidential primary, with indifference and a healthy dose of skepticism. I know that historically these things are at very best a popularity contest, won by the candidate who is willing to bend the lowest and pander to the fears and greed of socially disconnected, special interest groups. For the past thirty years, the Republican party has progressively distanced itself from anything that remotely resembles the genuine will or needs of the people of the Unites States of America. Ostensively, the party's leaders have been focused almost exclusively on the narrow financial interest of a small group of self-serving, ideologists (I would say idiots, but...) that have bastardized the American ideal and transplanted it with a twisted, mono-partisan and greed driven perspective. I hasten to remind, that when Mr. Gingrich was Speaker of the House, the split between parties became a gaping chasm. His rhetoric is corrosive, destructive and completely ignorant. If you don't believe me, check this out. If it sounds a bit harsh I can't really apologize, because it isn't nearly as harsh as the viewpoints expressed by him.

The following recent statements are from the front running Republican Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich.

"Really poor children in really poor neighborhoods have no habits of working and have nobody around them who works so they literally have no habit of showing up on Monday. They have no habit of staying all day. They have no habit of 'I do this and you give me cash,' unless it's illegal."

“I think that we’ve had an invented Palestinian people who are in fact Arabs, and who were historically part of the Arab community,” said Gingrich. “And they had a chance to go many places, and for a variety of political reasons we have sustained this war against Israel now since the 1940s, and it’s tragic.”

Ummm. “Stupid is as stupid does” as Forrest Gump (played by Tom Hanks in the movie Forrest Gump) would so eloquently profess. It really needs no further explanation, or comment. However, I say what's on my mind (it is a daily mood quote), so here it goes. First of all, no child rich or poor, aspires to poverty, for that matter I suspect neither do their parents. He has blithely disrespected and turned a blind eye to millions, not thousands, but millions (if not billions globally), of working poor; the honest, hardworking people who have not had the advantages, that I might add, where given to him to start their lives. Need examples? What about the children of working single moms who have two, or sometimes three jobs and yet still struggle to make ends meet? What about the children of split shift working fathers who may work sixty hours a week and are not paid a fair and equitable wage for their efforts because of the inequities of the system? What about those, through no fault of their own, are unemployed and can't find work? Does he know how fast savings evaporate, when you are unemployed and trying to keep a roof over your head, while trying to feed those “poor” children? Poor can come at you fast and hard, without mercy. But, I guess he wouldn't know that having almost his entire life paid for, from his teen years on. And, I might add, for the most part, paid for by the tax money wrenched away from the “poor” people he just spit on.

Dalai Lama said, “Where ignorance is our master, there is no possibility of real peace” well, these two statements demonstrate true slavery to ignorance. Is this really the best America has to offer for Presidential candidates? Are you freakin' kidding me (thanks Mike C.)? What kind of peace can an idiot like this make? What I find so surprising is that Mr. Gingrich has a PhD and taught History and Geography at West Georgia College in the 1970's. Apparently, he learned nothing but how to twist the arms of political contributors and manipulate the easily swayed. I think a quote from Maya Angelou would be appropriate here, “My mother said I must always be intolerant of ignorance but understanding of illiteracy. That some people, unable to go to school, were more educated and more intelligent than college professors." I think that says it best.

To end my little rant: In my opinion, Newt Gingrich is a political prostitute, pandering for money to advance his campaign's “war fund.” He'll say or do anything, without thought to the consequences, to achieve his goals. Do you honestly think the rest of the world's memory is as failing as our attention deprived voters? Can you image what would happen, if he spoke like that at the United Nations? He does not represent the nation. Nor should he ever... Mr. Gingrich, shame on you and your ignorance.

Will you think before you speak today?

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Daily Mood Quotes - November 6, 2011

 

Daily Mood Quote

Day 186 – November 6, 2011

A man should never neglect his family for business.

~Walt Disney

Today was a good day, one I would like to repeat. But since that isn't possible, I'll take it for the great memory it will be tomorrow. Today was family day, which actually started last night by the family watching Disney's Beauty and The Beast, on the ABC Family Channel. When you watch this movie with little ones, it's cute and adorable. But, when you watch it with grown-ups the subtleties are hilarious and we laughed so hard I had tears in my eyes. It was a good evening, my favorite part, it was free and came with popcorn, yummy.

Every once in a while you just need to cut out the hustle and bustle of the world, turn off the phone, set no agenda and just enjoy spending time together. We cleaned the house a bit, did some laundry, went grocery shopping and got haircuts. All while laughing, talking and just having some goofy family fun. Sorry to all those we may have offended by smiling and enjoying ourselves. Actually, I feel sorry for them, because to stay sane, you have to just relax and have some laughs once in a while. If someone misses that point, well they are missing the best parts of being alive. We all need the release of laughter and the freedom to remember that family is important. When you combine the two then you have something special, something powerful. Maya Angelou said, “My life has been one great big joke, a dance that's walked a song that's spoke, I laugh so hard I almost choke when I think about myself.”

I understand the times are serious and our challenges many. This isn’t the first time in history things were tough for so many, myself included. That said, hard times may come and go and all of our life is rhythms and counterpoint, but laughter is the score that we remember best. It's the thing that helps us through those tough times. To end the perfect day, a good football game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. I hope my team plays well and wins.

If you can't find the laughter in your day, watch a good movie; here are some of my favorites; Arthur with Dudley Moore; Mrs. Doubtfire with Robin Williams and Major League with Charlie Sheen. They always make me laugh.

What will make you laugh today?

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Daily Mood Quotes - October 30, 2011

 

Daily Mood Quotes

Day 179 – October 30, 2011

“Never let go of hope. One day you will see that it all has finally come together. What you have always wished for has finally come to be. You will look back and laugh at what has passed and you will ask yourself... How did I get through all of that?”

~Unknown Author

One of the things I have found helpful to do when I feel that all hope may be lost, or I begin worrying about whether or not I can survive a situation; I talk to my neighbor. He is an elderly man who is well into his eighties, his experience and wisdom sometimes causes me to pause. Some of the things he has shared really aren't much different than what we deal with everyday. The problems are the same, just the way they are generated has changed. Solutions, well I believe the solutions differ from person to person, based on how you were raised, education, experiences, and whether or not you carry baggage, or hold a grudge.

There is always hope; it may seem as dim as a candle on a dark and stormy night (okay a little corny and cliché but true none the less), but yet somehow it is not extinguished. And, depending on what we are going through at any moment in time, our attitude determines whether or not we can see and/or seize the opportunities hope presents. Sometimes its just enough to help us hang on just that little bit longer. To take the little chance that brings within greater opportunity. And, sometimes hope's child is a bit more hope and a lighter heart. It just depends on who we are and what we are open to.

In the movie Hope Floats with Sandra Bullock (Birdee Pruitt) and Harry Connick, Jr. (Justin Matisse), Birdee Pruitt says, “Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome. That's what momma always says. She says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will...” If you never let go of hope. 

Maya Angelou said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." That's hope!!!

What “hope” will you welcome into your life today?

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Daily Mood Quote

 

Daily Mood Quotes

Day 79 – July 21, 2011

One isn't necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can't be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.

~Maya Angelou

She is right, we are all born with tremendous potential. Maybe not to be a superstar at athletics or world class performers, but all of us are born with the great potential to reach out to our fellow man or woman. To care for someone in need. As we discussed yesterday, its not the grand gestures, but the small things; holding a door for someone with their arms full of books, picking up a product knocked to the floor in a grocery store to clear the path, or bowing our heads to say thanks for a meal while we are in public. They seem small but in a judgmental world they can take courage. We all can do that, but seldom do because of trepidation about appearances. In short, we lack courage. Some worry about their intentions being misconstrued. Many worry about political correctness, or other foolish social fabrications along with worrying that they will be taken advantage of. This is not a new trend, this has been around as long as mankind. There are those who help pull a community together, sometimes through simple acts. And there are those who could not care less, or appear to not care less, but are actually afraid of what others might think. My question today is, how can an act of kindness, however small, be anything but an act of kindness, regardless of others perceptions. And, how can you expect others to be kind to you, if you are at first not kind to them? Admittedly, it can take practice, especially if you have never reached out. Sometimes, it doesn't seem to go the way you planned, that's okay, it takes practice. But, with conviction and courage good things do eventually happen. Kindness and generosity are the great boomerangs of the universe. You have to first throw it out there for it to come back to you. As with real boomerangs that can take some practice.

I live in a neighborhood, a community where reaching out is only done through organizations and church drives. Around here doors are shut and blinds are drawn most of the time and when one neighbor is outside, then the others seem to be in. I haven't figured out why that is yet.There just isn't a one-to-one connection with your next door neighbor, except for the occasional wave from someone whose name you don't even know. A couple winters ago, we had a particularly heavy snow fall in our area. My husband and I are accustomed to heavy snow fall (Thank you Minnesota), so we decided to shovel our neighbors driveways while we were out. Besides, we had a snow-thrower to make short work of it and we were having fun outside in the winter air.  I will never forget the look of "shock" we received from our neighbors, as they peered out their windows. One elderly lady even ran out, told us we didn't need to do that and asked if she needed to pay us? Apparently, this has never happened around here before. How sad it was to discover we were part of a community that had never helped each other. What is even sadder is that this “suburban isolation” is normal behavior in our region. I guess the fear of being sued (don't get me started on that) has taken such a hold it stops people from being kind, merciful, generous inside their own communities. We live in a “What's their angle?” and fearful world, even in our own neighborhoods and homes. So understandably it takes courage to look past that mindset and reach out even a little for most people. Initially we helped out of blissful ignorance. Now it's purposeful. Changing a mindset of a community takes courage and is done in small bits and pieces. Grand gestures won't get it done. Consistently throwing kindness out there will in time, bring it back. I am happy to say that we now know many of our neighbors on a first name basis and have been there to share their joys and sorrows. We have helped them and they have helped us. Our community is a little closer now.

In the Disney movie A Bugs Life an oddball ant named Flik (Dave Foley) wants to help his community, not in the traditional way, but by invention and innovation. Initially, his efforts make him a pariah... It's just not done in the colony! But as he explains to Dot (Hayden Panettiere). “Seed to tree. You've gotta work with me, here. Alright? Okay. Now, y-you might not feel like you can do much now, but that's just because, well, you're not a tree yet. You just have to give yourself some time. You're still a seed.” Communities, like great trees, grow from the small seeds of kind acts, cast forth into the wind. Eventually they will take root and yield their own fruit for all to share.

What “courage” will you find and share today?

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